Aesop's Fables, translated by Laura Gibbs (2002)
101. THE FOX AND THE GROUND-BIRD
Perry 557 (Phaedrus
App. 32)
There is a bird that country folk call 'ground-bird,' which makes sense,
because this bird makes her nest on the ground. A ground-bird happened
to run into a conniving vixen, and as soon as she noticed her, the ground-bird
flew even higher on her wings. 'Greetings!' said the vixen, 'May I ask
why you are running away? It's not as if there were not plenty of food
for me here in the field -- grasshoppers, beetles, locusts in abundance
-- so there's nothing for you to be afraid of. I am actually very fond
of you because of your retiring manner and honest ways.' The singing bird
replied, 'Your words are certainly pleasant to hear, but I am no equal
to you on the ground. Here in the air, though, I can hold my own. Why
don't you come on up with me? This is the place where I would trust you
with my life!'
Note: Phaedrus has provided us with a folk name that is relevant to
the fable, terraneola 'ground bird,' but this name is not found in the
ancient scientific writers, making it impossible to provide an identification.
Source:
Aesop's Fables. A new translation by Laura
Gibbs.
Oxford University Press (World's Classics): Oxford, 2002.
NOTE: New
cover, with new ISBN, published in 2008; contents of book unchanged.
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